The Second and Third Control work trips (Milestone Two) were completed in two trips from the 03/08/15 through to 14/08/15, by Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated (CYWAFA_INC), in partnership with Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, (MRWMG).

The objectives of the control work project were considered to be accomplished satisfactorily with no incidences occurring or technical difficulty encountered.

• The bellyache bush in the Palmer River was not found to exist above the crossing at Yambo station homestead.

• The actual start of the infestation is in the same location. This has not changed.

• The Bellyache Bush infestation extends from the crossing at Yambo station to beyond King Junction Station.

• The Infestations seem to be mostly restricted to the flood way of the Palmer River including as far as the flood debris is pushed up tributary gullies.

• Although the incursions have pushed up to the tops of the river banks they were not found to extend much distance off into the bush.

• However in a few places some small patches were found a little distance from the river but this looked to be due to mine workings.

• The bulk of the infestation existed on the river flats and tributary gully mouths between the bottom of the control zone to almost at the King Junction homestead.

• In this area many of the non-wooded river flats were under dense and expansive infestation, most of the gully mouths harboured patches, and scattered plants existed in much of the area in between.

• Travelled to camp at Palmer River and recommenced work.

• Due to the fact the Palmer River country was very dry and the Bellyache Bush had very little leaf coverage, the Splatter Guns and the basal barking control techniques were extensively used.

• The control methods were very effective, especially on the Bellyache bush patches with one or two leaves on them

• Mapped and photographed everything we controlled

• All mapping data and photos were transferred to CYWAFA_INC Database, and sent to the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group.

• The team has moved into newer areas.

• All areas of the river have been surveyed and controlled, including the in and out of the riverbed.

• Because control work has not been done for a number of years, a lot of the bellyache bush has been found in areas where it was not found previously.

• We have moved as far as 3.2 km down the river from the start.

Trip Positives

• The extensive aerial survey has enabled us to refresh our knowledge of where the infestation starts, finishes, and whether it has spread rapidly or not.

• Because of what we found out last trip, we have been able to clean up the regrowth areas and to move on to newer areas very quickly.

• The control techniques have allowed to be thorough and to get all the plants.

• We are continuing the good work that has achieved good results in the past

• Managed to find areas that had been missed and cleaned them up

• Positive reports from the landholders on our control efforts.

Trip Negatives

• Basal Barking/ Splatter gun control is very time consuming as there wasn’t enough leaf on the plants to foliar spray. This limits our ability to control great areas of bellyache bush quickly.

The CYWAFA_INC, and Mitchell River Watershed Management Group are to be commended on their willingness to work together and to achieve as much on the ground control work as possible.